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Why Would a Tooth Become Infected?

How confident are you about the status of your oral health? Have you suffered from cavities and gum disease over the years? Or are you one of the lucky few who seems to have inherited a trouble-free mouth?

Unfortunately, most of us fall into the first category. While issues such as cavities are indeed troublesome, the fact of the matter is that more serious conditions may arise on occasion.

One common example involves a tooth infection. What might cause such an infection? What are a handful of symptoms to recognise?

What Causes a Tooth Infection?

Tooth infections may result from a handful of situations. Perhaps the most well-known involves a cavity that has been allowed to progress to the point where underlying tissues become damaged. If bacteria are allowed to penetrate into the pulp and the nerve, an infection can occur. This will require immediate treatment in order to avoid even more problems.

An injury (such as chipping or cracking a tooth) may also allow bacteria to enter the tooth. Even teeth grinding (known as bruxism) can increase the chances of developing an infection. Thus, even seemingly small imperfections should be examined by a professional to determine if any issues are present.

Damage to a dental restoration such as a bridge or losing a filling are other scenarios to recognise. In either of these cases, sensitive portions of the teeth and/or gums may become exposed to harmful bacteria. If you suspect that a restoration has broken or become dislodged, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

What Symptoms May be Present?

Although there are times when you will not feel any type of pain, most individuals will begin to experience discomfort in the event of an infection. Here are some common signals that a dentist is needed:

Sensitivity in one or more teeth.
Pain that seems to radiate towards the ear, neck or jaw.
A foul taste or smell within your mouth.

Even seemingly minor infections can soon evolve into more worrying situations. There are even times when an infection may spread to other portions of your body. This is why it is always better to be safe than sorry. Schedule an appointment with your dentist at the first sign of trouble.

A Quick Look at the Causes of Receding Gums

Have you noticed that your teeth have become sensitive to hot and cold foods/drinks? If so, this situation should never be taken likely.

The soft tissue of your gums is intended to protect your teeth and without its presence, a host of problems may develop. This is why speaking with a dentist at the first sign of trouble is the best way to avoid more in-depth interventions in the future.

It is just as important to appreciate some of the main causes of receding gums. Let’s take a quick look at a handful of common situations. You can then consult with a professional to better understand what treatments may be required.

Bruxism

Believe it or not, grinding your teeth (a condition known as bruxism) can negatively impact your gums. Excessive amounts of pressure can cause this soft tissue to become inflamed, resulting in recession if left unchecked.

Improperly Aligned Teeth

The main issue with crooked or otherwise misaligned teeth is that they are often more difficult to clean. As a result, individuals are at a higher risk of developing infections, cavities and other issues. Let’s also remember that uneven amounts of pressure can affect the underlying tissues, resulting in receding gums.

Gum Disease

This is arguably the most well-known cause of receding gums. If the proper oral care techniques are not embraced, bacteria will accumulate around the teeth. Some of these bacteria may eventually make their way beneath the gum line. This causes nearby tissues to pull away from the surfaces of your teeth. If left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious issues that will require professional intervention to correct.

Poor and/or Aggressive Brushing Habits

In terms of brushing and flossing, the phrase “too much of a good thing” is entirely relevant. Aggressive brushing can physically damage the gums, causing them to recede. This is even more likely when referring to those who use a toothbrush with extremely stiff bristles. It is much better to employ softer bristles so that they will not inflame the gums and the surrounding soft tissues.

Are you concerned about the health of your gums? Are teeth sensitive and do gums bleed when brushing? If so, it is prudent to speak with a dentist at the first sign of trouble. He or she will be able to offer a host of effective solutions at the right times.

Is it Wise to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth?

Children have multiple stages of development — and one of the most memorable is when they lose their first tooth. Of course, this process is absolutely necessary so that permanent teeth can enter.

While some of our memories may involve the “tooth fairy”, others are associated with having a loose tooth removed before its time. Is it wise for parents to force such a tooth out?

Let us first examine why removing a premature tooth is not wise before looking at a handful of alternative strategies.

Better Left Untouched

Teeth become loose for a reason, to allow the adult teeth to emerge. We need to remember that nature will eventually take its course. Parents who choose to expedite this process can cause their child to endure a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Instead, the tooth will work its way out in due time. In the event that it seems to be impeding the entrance of a permanent tooth, it is best to consult with a dentist.

How to Encourage a Loose Tooth to Fall Out

In the vast majority of cases, baby teeth (also known as deciduous teeth) will become dislodged without any need for intervention. The good news is that there are other ways to speed up the process. For example, children should be allowed to play with a loose tooth with their tongue. They will only wiggle it until pain is perceived, so there is little danger with this approach.

What if a tooth appears to be literally hanging on by a thread? In this case, parents can wrap their fingers in a tissue and gently grab the tooth. A small amount of force may complete the process. If this does not produce results, the tooth should be left alone until it becomes looser.

Working with Professionals

In the event that a baby tooth appears to be blocking a permanent tooth, it is always prudent to consult with a dentist or an oral care specialist. These individuals will be able to take a closer look in order to determine what steps (if any) need to be taken. Thankfully, the majority of baby teeth will fall out without the need for any type of intervention.

Read the full story here:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/should-you-pull-your-childs-loose-tooth/

Which Foods Are Good For Your Oral Health?

Brushing your teeth and visiting your dentist every six months can help keep your teeth healthy. But diet is also essential in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Below are some of the foods that will benefit your health.

Key takeaways:

• All dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens and swiss chard are good for your oral health. They are rich in fibre and have calcium and phosphorus which strengthen your tooth enamel. Spinach also has iron, vitamin c and vitamin k which promote gum health.

• Fatty fish such as salmon have omega 3 acids and vitamin D which help in preventing gum disease.

• Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A which supports healthy gum tissue and encourage the production of keratin which is a protein that helps strengthen the tooth enamel.

Begin eating healthy and impress your dentist during your next checkup.

Why Frequent Cleanings Are Best for a Healthy Smile

In the past, most experts recommended visiting the dentist every six months in order to obtain a professional cleaning. However, times have changed. Some people tend to have more plaque buildup, so require more frequent cleanings.

There are a number of advantages when cleaning take place on a regular basis.

Dealing with Bacteria and Plaque

At-home brushing and flossing techniques are not always effective at removing the harmful plaque and bacteria that can accumulate within the mouth. This is even more relevant for those who have crooked or tightly spaced teeth. Professional dental cleanings are capable of accessing all of these “nooks and crannies”. Therefore, the chances of developing issues such as cavities and gum disease are dramatically reduced.

Avoiding Common Dental Problems

One of the concerns with oral health is that some problems are difficult to detect. Tooth decay and gum disease may not show symptoms of problems until later stages. Dentists and dental hygienists are able to look for any tell-tale signals that a more thorough examination may be required. Those who don’t get the cleanings are at a higher risk of needing more in-depth treatments that could have otherwise been avoided.

The Notion of Early Detection

Regular professional cleanings are great ways to make sure that your oral health is never taken for granted. We are not only referring to cavities and gum disease in this sense. Cracked veneers and damaged bridges may likewise be detected with a cleaning. The same holds true for any fillings that have come loose or partially detached over time. There are even times when cancer screenings can be used to search for any serious concerns at an early stage.

This is why you should follow your dentist’s advice if they request more frequent dental cleanings. You will be helping to ensure that the health of your teeth and gums is never called into question. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist today!

Learn more:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-regular-teeth-cleanings-keep-your-smile-healthy/

Happy Father’s Day!

How Orthodontics Can Help to Correct a Lisp

Some children have difficulty pronouncing specific sounds, words or letters. This is particularly the case when referring to the letters “s” and “z”. Otherwise known as a lisp, there are several reasons why this condition may present itself.

Let us take a look at some possible causes as well as if orthodontics may be able to correct the issue at a young age.

What Might Lead to a Lisp?

Lisps can often result from a condition which causes the tongue to fail to contact the roof of the mouth when forming specific letters. Doctors cite malocclusions as the primary cause of this scenario. In other words, the teeth within the mouth do not fit together as they should.

There are three types of malocclusions which can lead to a lisp:

An underbite (occurring when the bottom teeth protrude further than the top teeth).
An underbite (when the top set of teeth stick out further than the bottom teeth while the mouth is at rest).
An open bite (even when shut, the teeth within the mouth do not touch).

Common orthodontic treatments such as braces have been used to correct all of the conditions pointed out above.

What Other Factors May be Present?

Still, there can be times when a lisp is caused by other situations. One example is known as a “tongue tie”. In this case, the tissues connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth are overly tense or too short. A “tongue thrust” can likewise occur if the tongue protrudes between the teeth when the mouth is at rest. Both of these can lead to a lisp if they are not treated.

Additionally, there can simply be times when incorrect pronunciation techniques were employed when specific words were first being learned. In this situation, the expertise of a speech therapist will often come in handy. It is nonetheless wise to speak with an orthodontist so that other potential problems can be ruled out in the beginning.

Treatment is Available

The good news is that the majority of children and adults who suffer from lisps have numerous options at their disposal. The best way to determine which treatments are the most appropriate is to speak with a dentist or orthodontist.

Our Myokids program is designed to help treat these problems early, so the child has the best chance of resolving the lisp problem quickly. If your child has a bite problem and/or a lisp, let’s discuss it. Danny the Dentist can help!

How Is TMJ Disorder Treated?

It is estimated that more than 10 million Americans are suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Unfortunately, many of these individuals fail to obtain the proper treatment. They are instead forced to endure a significant amount of pain and discomfort.

Thankfully, there are a host of innovative solutions which are capable of providing the relief that you have desperately search for. Let us first examine some of the causes of TMJ before moving on to discuss how this condition can be effectively treated.

The Causes and Symptoms of TMJ

There are a handful of reasons why an individual may develop TMJ. Here are some of the most common:

Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Incorrect lifestyle habits (such as incorrect posture)
Chewing hard or gummy foods
A misaligned jaw

A clinician will therefore examine your current situation in order to determine if these conditions are present. He or she may also perform in-depth procedures such as x-rays or CT scans if another issue is suspected.

Of course, the concurrent symptoms will also be used to diagnose the presence of TMJ. These can include (but may not be limited to) clicking or grinding sensations within the jaw, difficulty chewing food, pain around the face, or the inability to fully open your mouth.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

Let us imagine that you have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder. What treatment options are at your disposal? The most common involve non-invasive procedures. These include monitoring the types of foods that you eat, wearing an appliance in order to avoid grinding your teeth and managing your levels of stress (if this is a perceived cause).

There can still be times when the solutions mentioned above fail to provide relief. In such scenarios, more targeted solutions may need to be considered. For example, a dentist or orthodontist may recommend corticosteroid injections or surgery. In rare instances, your pain may be caused by other underlying health issues such as arthritis or a localised tumour. The best way to rule out these situations is to speak with a professional sooner as opposed to later.

There is no reason why anyone who has been diagnosed with TMJ disorder should continue to suffer in silence. There are many unique options at your disposal and these can offer amazing results. Make it a point to consult with a specialist if you feel that a problem is present.